DVR... St Agnes?

I went to St Agnes and Dr Averbach after Johns Hopkins and Un of Md. both referred me to the Drs there because I was so high risk. That told me they had a lot of experience and were good Drs.  I also did my research and came up with the same conclusion. They also have done many of the  much larger bariatric patients and I was over 400lbs. Good luck in whatever decision you make. I do know this surgery  and hard work have given me such a beautiful life and I treasure every day. Life is amazing. I feel so blessed. Dr Averbach gave me a gift I can never repay. Laurie

I am still undecided:  I am six months postop and love the support  group at GBMC Plus its only 10  minutes from my home.  DVR is a gifted & talented surgeon there is no doubt about that .  I have my sixmonth check up this week and know I will have to make a decision one way or the other soon .  I really don't think it was a  money issue; but that is for DVR and GBMC to know;  I know only that the tool DVR has given me is a Gift I will never be able to repay him for . Dr Mo is great as well:  He removed my drain for me when I pulled part of it out a day before DVR was to remove it .  The response I got from the office was great: DVR is in surgury but come right over Dr Mo will see you. I waited only a few minutes once I got to the office. When you call St Agnes Ask for Kathy :  shes a friend of mine and I am sure she will answer any questions you may have. Whichever way you decide to go :  Gods Blessing to you on your road to WLS.  

Hi, I had LAP RNY with Dr. Averbach and St. Agnes in July 2005.  I have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Averbach, The Admin/Nursing Staff, the program at St. Agnes and the treatment I received at St. Agnes before/after my surgery.  St. Agnes' program was named a Center of Excellence in late 2005.  I have heard nothing but good things about DVR and Dr. Moen.  Have seen mixed reviews of the Admin Staff at DVR's office in the past, but have heard good things recently.   If you wish, you could call the office and inquire about what would be necessary to move with DVR.  The number to Dr. Averbach/Singh is (410) 368-8725.  Their office is in Catonsville, not too far from 695. Hope this helps.

I also had to make a choice.  I had originally chosen Dr. V at GBMC and have now completed the 6 months and all my tests.  At my last month appt, Dr. V came in and gave me the news.  I had already heard it through the grapevine.  I was really surprised to hear he wouldn't be fitting me in for surgery before his departure.  That was a shock.  However, I chose GBMC for the overall program reputation and the location.  I haven't seen Dr. V except once since my first appt 6 mos ago and that was very quick.  I didn't want to wait until April for my surgery, which is when Dr. V can schedule surgeries at St. Agnes. I'm ready now and my health is waiting for me on the other side of the operating room.   I decided Dr. Moien will be my surgeon.  I see him this week and after that I can have my case presented to my insurance for approval.  Dr. V said he believed Dr. Moein would do an excellent job. I have heard only good things about both of them.  I am having the Roux eN-Y. Everyone's choice is their personal decision to make.  I wish you well whatever you decide.   

I absolutely adore Dr. Moein, and have nothing but praise for him. I believe he is a skilled surgeon. I'm not sure that he is a fan of lap bands, although I've spoken with people he has done that surgery on, and they have also had high praise for him. I know he has said in the past that insurance is going to stop paying for fills. I also remember one poster on the MD forum saying he gave her a hard time when she tried to schedule fills. You just have to talk to him about it. If you feel that he is not going to support the lap band procedure, and that is the procedure that you feel is best for you, then you should look at other surgeons and other practices. You have to follow your gut instincts. I thin kthat is how most of us chose our surgeons. I will not assume DVR is leaving for money or for any one reason in particular. But I think it's a crummy thing to do. There are so many patients that are in the process of completing their program, or just completed and waiting for surgery, or worse yet, newly post-op and learning to live post-op and he is stalling their progress. I can't imagine that St. Agnes can offer so much more for him, to make it worth his while to abandon any of his patients like he is.  Some of that is jealousy, since his wife runs our support group, lol. I will miss her. She is a very sweet, and compassionate person.  But, I can't help but feel he is selfish to leave, no matter what the reason. If I was his patient, St. Agnes wouldn't work for me, and I'd be having to change doctors, and at the stage in my recovery that I am, I can't imagine changing doctors.

I dont know what I will do yet. I was never really thrilled about DVR,  or DR Moen.  I guess this is my chance to change if I want.   Does St Agnes have a "program fee"?    I need a doc who is more personable.  I didnt like some of Dr Moe's comments about lap band patients.  It was the I told you so  attitiude in the seminar.   I have had a hard time with some of the staff too.  But if St agnes has a program fee... it's out. I already had $500 sucked out of me.   I cant pay it again.    Thanks for the help. 

Kathy, your post sort-of rubbed me the wrong way.  There could be 20 reasons DVR is leaving GBMC and for you to call him selfish is well, selfish.  Not sure where you're employed but MONEY does talk - what if St. Agnes is offering him 1/4 million dollars more a year??  My bags would be packed!  St. Agnes has chosen to make BARIATRICS one of their priorities and its not a priority at GBMC.  Maybe St. Agnes is offering him an extra OR day every week, more support staff, maybe they're paying his malpractice insurance while GBMC doesn't. 

We don't know his reasons for leaving but to call a physician selfish is inappropriate.  Sorry to vent - you can vent right back at me if you want....

I will vent right back, thanks :-). If he couldn't afford to live comfortably on his salary, I doubt he'd have worked so hard to expand the program at GBMC. As for it not being a priority, I don't agree, but since I'm the one who trusted my life to their program, I think I'm the one who has a vested interest in their program. But, I think it is selfish to leave patients who have made such a huge life altering change as one of his patients, who might not be able to travel to another hospital. This isn't a surgery where you won't need to see your doctor again till you have the next sympton. This is a lifetime commitment by both the patient and the surgeon. Unless he couldn't have a comfortable lifestyle on his salary and benefits at GMBC, I will always think it's a bit selfish. There is more to life than money.  Personally, if I had the money, I'd volunteer my 40+ hours a week, instead of collecting a salary. It's my work that defines me, my contribution to society, not just my earnings. While I am not in a financial situation to pick and choose where I work, for me money isn't the only thing that talks. He struck me as someone who cared deeply for his patients, and his work. Having recently had my surgery, I think it would devestate me to have to start with a surgeon who doesn't know me. If this had happened to me when I was going through my pre-op diet, or awaiting insurance approval, I'd have been emotionally destroyed. Each step of my process going smoothly is what kept me sane during the pre-op and early post-op period. Differing opinions are what makes the world go round. I think the man is a gifted surgeon, I personally know many of his very successful patients. I'm just disappointed that he would abandon one practice for another. I'm hoping that this does not mean any more changes for the program, as I have no desire to change hospitals or surgeons for the remainder of my post-op care.

Hi Everyone, I had my surgery at St Agnes with Averbach and he is great, I can't say one negative thing about him, he has a very dry sense of humor. Anyway, for all of you that are DVR patients, don't worry about the staff at St Ag's not being personable or caring they are phenomonal and some of the nicest people you will meet and they really care, trully.  I have never had a problem getting an appointment or not having a call returned.  You all will be well taken care of, promise. Glad to see some of you will be coming over to St Ag's!!!!! Jen PS: I never paid a program fee at St. Ag's

fyi- i have not been offended by anyone's comments. this is what the board is for, thoughts and opinions and they are just that. I wanted feed back and appreciate everyone's input. thank you.